RECIPIENT OF THE DC BLACK MBA ASSOCIATION 2023 LEGACY AWARD
Serving Our Community in the DMV
Vol 59 No 29...May 2 - 8, 2024
DC Walk 4 Recovery Page 22
“It's about the People in Gaza:” Student Encampment Protest Hits 1-Week Mark Black Protesters Connect Palestinian Cause to Global Liberation Movements By Kayla Benjamin WI Climate & Environment Reporter On the fourth day of the protest encampment at George Washington University, at least a dozen D.C.-area families with young kids joined the Sunday afternoon crowd. They came to show support for students demonstrating against Israel’s war on Gaza, which has led to the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians—including
more than 14,000 children. “I want our child to know about how the struggle for civil rights in the United States is connected to global struggles for justice and human rights across the board,” said Alicia Sanchez Gill, who attended on April 28 with her wife and their 3-year-old. “What's happening to children and families in Gaza is connected to what's happening to children, partic-
ENCAMPMENTS Page 38
5Michelle Obama surprises D.C. students during a College Signing Day celebration at Capital One Arena in Northwest on April 30. (Ja'Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer) See story on Page 26
Poor People’s Campaign Emphasizes Moral Resurrection of Economic Rights
MLK Gateway Phase II Opens in Anacostia
Barber Emphasizes Poverty Crisis, Calls on People to Join Mass March on June 29
Project to House New DHCD Headquarters
By Ashleigh Fields WI Contributing Writer
By James Wright WI Staff Writer As Bo Menkiti took to the podium on the rooftop at the newly built MLK Gateway II, located near the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. and Marion Barry Avenues in Southeast, he glanced at the panoramic view of Washington. With the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, Navy Yard, the Anacostia River and Frederick Douglass Bridge all in sight, the founder and CEO of the Menkiti Group emphasized the significance of the new structure as more than a
5 Bo Menkiti, founder and CEO of The Menkiti Group, speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony the MLK Gateway II ribbon cutting ceremony on April 25. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington
building, but a symbol of the power of coming together to make a difference. “On behalf of myself, my family, the amazing teams at the Menkiti Group and SHIFT Capital, our project and financing partners and the hundreds of women and men who
worked tirelessly to bring this building to life, I want to welcome you to the MLK Gateway II,” Menkiti, 46, said to a crowd that included community members, entrepreneurs, and D.C.
MLK GATEWAY Page 38
As poverty plagues communities across America, the Poor People’s Campaign, led by Bishop William J. Barber II, is working to eradicate systemic deprivation through voter empowerment during the 2024 election cycle. “Our votes are demands and not really support for candidates. We are mobilizing those votes and saying to candidates if you want these votes then talk to poor and low wage folks,” said Barber. With poverty can come housing
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instability, hunger and even death. The nation’s poverty rate leaves millions penniless and currently ranks among the top five leading causes of death killing approximately 295,000 citizens per year. As the population increases, rates of destitution are rising faster than access to homes, healthcare and basic necessities.
RIGHTS Page 51